Context
Since the escalation of conflict in February 2022, Ukraine's water and sanitation sector has suffered catastrophic damage. An estimated 4.6 billion USD in physical damage and 12.7 billion USD in losses have been recorded across water and sanitation systems. Nearly 40 per cent of water networks are now classed as critical, and more than a third of treatment facilities are in urgent need of rehabilitation.
Water utilities across the country continue to operate under extreme constraints, maintaining essential services despite damaged infrastructure, rising energy costs, staff displacement, and ongoing security risks. The humanitarian toll is severe, with approximately 1.4 million people lacking access to safe water, and a further 4.6 million with limited access.
“We face enormous technical and operational challenges every day, but through this partnership we now have colleagues who can walk with us.”
Oleksandr Vlasiuk, Head of Zaporizhzhia Oblast Vodokanal
Project Overview
In response to these urgent needs, UNICEF Ukraine is funding a pilot initiative to establish three Water Operators' Partnerships (WOPs) — a peer-to-peer model that links utilities to share expertise, build capacity and improve service delivery. The project is facilitated by UN-Habitat's Global Water Operators' Partnerships Alliance (GWOPA).
Geographic Scope
- Zaporizhzhia City Municipal Water Utility
- Regional Zaporizhzhia Water Utility
- Krivbassvodokanal (Kriv Rih Municipal Water Utility) in Ukraine
Over the duration of the partnership, the mentor utilities will provide targeted technical guidance in key areas:
- Non-revenue water reduction and leak detection
- Energy efficiency and management
- Asset management and infrastructure rehabilitation
- Customer service improvement
Exchanges will take place through a combination of on-site technical missions in Ukraine and training visits to Portugal and the Netherlands.
“These WOPs are a flagship initiative for us because they show how direct collaboration between utilities can bring tangible results – and we want to see this approach scaled up.”
Nicolas Osbert, UNICEF Chief of WASH in Ukraine
